Trying to get ahead...

...but feeling so behind.
I begin each day with the best of intentions.
Really, I do. It's not for lack of trying. Life is
taking center stage this week and I am called
upon to play the Ringmaster. So I leave with you
a peep show of sorts, of the cast of characters
who lie in wait undone, as I wrestle with the
main events of the day.

Teresa Cedar Junction
Martha MJ Ornaments
Louie The Pink Gate
Missy Fairy Child Heirlooms
A big heart felt THANK YOU to all my Fantastical Followers
for filling my weekend with good times and giggles.

Mad Tea Party

Today's the day! I thought it would never get here.

The 2nd annual Mad Tea Party hosted by
Vanessa at A FANCIFUL TWIST is now underway!
I'm soooo looking forward to spending
time this weekend blog hopping the party sites.

These are non edible paper clay treats. For display only.

I wouldn't be a very good party host without
offering you some sort of refreshment.
I was up til the wee hours packaging small batches
of mini Alice treats. You can find them in my
ETSY shop by clicking HERE.

Last but not least...
A GIVEAWAY!
On Monday I will draw a name from my list of
FANTASTICAL FOLLOWERS and send them a
goodie bag of party treats. You can enter my
GIVEAWAY by FOLLOWING this blog.
Click on FOLLOW button in the left column.

Curiouser and curiouser

There are very few movies that have me counting down the days
for their release. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is at the top
of my list of must see on the big screen films.
Walt Disney Pictures has just released a sneak peek
of the illustrative cast of characters:
Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bona Carter as
the Queen of Hearts and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.
This feast for the eyes will hit the theaters March 5, 2010.

Halloween Party Favors

Halloween Party Favors now available in my Etsy Shop!

Edward Gorey Tribute

Many years ago while rummaging through the

bookstore shelves I stumbled upon a grim
abecedarian with macabre humor and dark
crosshatched drawings...oh be still my
beating heart. The Gashlycrumb Tinies by
Edward Gorey was the first of many twisted
tales to inspire and entertain me throughout
the years.

Mr Gorey is the subject of the EHAG Art Challenge
for the month of June. Stop by and check out our tributes
to the Master of Macabre.

We laughed until we cried

In a few days from now our daughter will
be tossing her cap in the air. Our hearts will
soar as we honor her journey thus far, cheering
for her success as she finds her place in the world.

I'll return next week with tribute pieces to
Edward Gorey, Edgar Allan Poe and Lewis Carroll.
Until then...

The stars have aligned once again!
Jennifer over at the Prim Pumpkin created this
spectacular cloth Poe doll and then generously
offered it up as a blog giveaway. Lucky me!
Poe now sits very close to my desk next to a flock
of crows and a pile of tattered books. Visit Jennifer's
blog for some Halloween fun and check out her
recent cloth doll creations.

No more pencils...

Haven't got out much lately and it's a shame too
because the weather has been spectacular. I will not be
swayed by the rays of dappled sunlight tempting
me from my window. No! Not me. I am hunkered
down in my studio, painting until the wee hours of the
morning because I've only got one more week until...
singing in my best Alice Cooper voice...
School's out for summer!
The excitement is building here in the Valeriote home
as we prepare for many significant milestones.
So until then, it's back to the studio for me.
NOTE TO SELF: make sure paint is dry on fingers
before typing on keyboard.